Characterization of Norway maple's flower and inflorescence for conservation of its gene pool

Abstract

Determining Norway maple's traits variation, especially the variation of flowers, in different environments, and isolating superior individuals enables strategic use and prediction of its prospects. In Serbia's natural and urban populations, Norway maple populations were sampled for morphology of the flowers and inflorescence and its sex was determined. Norway maple inflorescence's width and the number of the flowers vary the most and are a mechanism of adaptation to various environments. The sex of flowers, diameter, and the number of petals characterize the species. A negative correlation between the size and the number of flowers in inflorescence and a positive correlation between inflorescence's width and the number of flowers per inflorescence reflects the species' tendency toward the same size of inflorescences. The morphology of flowers in the natural population varies the most. Based on the inflorescence's width, the number of flowers per inflorescence, and the size of flowers of superior individuals, microflora and macroflora cultivars can be isolated. Variations in inflorescences' morphology are partially explained by environmental conditions. The morphology of urban population is not significantly different from the natural populations nor does it stand out in any of the parameters. This species' large morphological variability enables survival in various environments.